Would be great to see a few more weights added. She’s condensed without feeling cramped, and described by its makers as a

compact and sporty sans serif that’s disarming instead of pushy — not just loud, but persuasive.

Erik Spiekermann remarked on twitter, finally an answer to Compacta! Much needed. Absolutely! In my own work, I can see Tungsten singing alongside something like Logo Jnr Black. If only Tungsten had been drawn before the release of Kill Bill. I haven’t spent long with Tungsten, but I’m fast developing a crush. Buy it, use it, love it.

Web typography

Ascender Corporation announces that Georgia & Verdana are to be extended. Note the Georgia small caps (about time too):

We love typography

Interesting to read Ellen Lupton’s Type Hunger piece for Print magazine, and thrilled to see she’s a WLT visitor. However, I’m a little surprised by her criticism that we (WLT contributors) are confusing lettering and type.

It’s just about impossible to pick a single image from even the most recent WLT posts; but I’m going for this little gem from @stewf. What a fantastic logotype:

A few words on grids

My radar is picking up an increase in grid-based design chatter. The recent release of Stéphane Curzi’s Baseline CSS framework is part of that chatter. There’s nothing wrong with grids (on-screen or on-paper); in fact they are the invisible skeletons to which most good designs cling. However, it’s all to easy to take the grid is god route, sometimes forcing elements to stick to the grid when they’re not happy doing so. I have no intention of turning these thoughts into an essay; it’s just that the eye, not the pixel needs to be the final arbiter of what’s right. A classic example (there are many) where the grid (in this instance the baseline grid) fails us, is in a line of text with an unusually high proportion of letterforms with descenders (or ascenders); with all that extra ink below the baseline (or x-height), the interlinear spacing will appear shorter. In this instance it’s prudent to add a little more interlinear spacing (or leading) to compensate. Grids are guides, not ‘dictators’. Just a thought.

And on a lighter note, a variation on a Müller-Brockmann theme. (That will give Antonio, over at AisleOne, nightmares). And if that doesn’t tickle your fancy, then Cheese or Font? might do it.

Type education

I’m trying to set aside a little time each week to contribute to Typedia. Why not do the same. Even if it’s just 5 minutes — a Typedia Thursday (or Tuesday [though the day needn’t be dictated by alliteration]). Just browse through the Good Deeds, and select one.

You don’t have to be an expert to contribute; but if you do contribute frequently, you’re sure, not only to educate others, but to educate yourself. You can follow the hashtag #good_deed_of_the_day via Twitter.

Work with Kari & Justin on the upcoming iPhone & iPod Touch FontGame is going really well (though it’s much more work than I’d anticipated). More news on that soon. In the meantime, here’s a little sneak peek:

There are still some of the Typographic Restraint letterpress prints available. Hurry while stocks last; it’s a signed & numbered, limited edition of 99. I’m also working with Stefan Hattenbach on an upcoming screen-print. You’re going to love it. Anyone recommend an exceptional screen-printer in Japan?

Thanks for reading, and thanks for all your comments and emails. Apologies that I can’t respond to them all. Have a great, great weekend.